2005 SEAT Altea — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,698 MOT tests, the 2005 SEAT Altea recorded a 69.8% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2005 Altea sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.3%) and suspension (14.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 457 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.2% in the 30-60k band and 30.1% in the 150k+ band, a 6.9-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.2% of the time against 30.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 927 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.6% | 834 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 696 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 546 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 488 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.8% | 443 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 457 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 420 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 413 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 344 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 309 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 294 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.5% | 1,966 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.6% | 1,860 |
| 3 | Brakes | 32.1% | 1,830 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 927 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 797 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.8% | 674 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 151 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 800 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,736 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,656 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,340 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,921 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 1,777 | 30.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,884 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 1,411 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 1,061 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 791 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 551 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Altea
On a 2005 Altea, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 SEAT Alteas pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 5,698 2005 SEAT Altea MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 SEAT Altea?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.6%).
Does the 2005 Altea get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,698 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.